Fireplace ash remover



W. R. KLEMME FIREPLACE ASH REMOVER Dec. 17, 1968 2 sheetssheet 1 FiledApril 17, 1967 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 17,'1968 w. R. KLEMME 3,416,514

FIREPLACE ASH REMOVER Filed April 17, 1967 2 sheets-shet 2 INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,416,514 FIREPLACE ASH REMOVER WilliamR. Klemme, Rte. 1, Box 2721, Colfax, Calif. 95.713 Filed Apr. 17, 1967,Ser. No. 631,236 3 claims. (ci. 126-242) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Avacuum blower, a fiexible hose, a swivable L-connection between theblower and the hose, and a disposal receptacle, or, alternatively, asystem for flushing ashes picked up by the flexible hose into a soilpipe is disclosed.

Background of the invention This invention relates to vacuum cleaningdevices and more particularly to vacuum devices for cleaning fireplacesand removing ashes therefrom.

Description of the prior art Vacuum cleaners in general are well knownin the prior art, including permanently installed vacuum cleanersystems; however, the vacuum cleaning systems of the prior Iart are notadapted for and do not operate well for removing large quantities ofheavy particles such as ashes from fireplaces.

Summary The present invention is directed to a vacuum type fireplace ashremover in which the removed material may be placed in a filter boxreceptacle exterior of the room or deposited directly in a soil lineleading to a sewer. Objects of the invention include the provision of avacuum type ash remover in which the removed ashes are forced into asoil line with a pressurized water stream to carry the particles andwash them from the soil line into the sewer. The particular combinationbetween'the vacuum line and the pressurized water source to wet thedischarged particles from the outlet of the vacuum line and theparticular elements and combinational features constitute furtherobjects of the invention.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE l is a front elevational view ofa fireplace adjacent which is positioned the removal means of theinstant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE l taken substantially alongline 2-2 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrowsillustrating the construction of the fireplace ash removal mechanism ofthe instant invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional View of FIGURE 2 taken substantially alongline 3 3 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrowsillustrating the construction of the filter box positioned exteriorly ofthe room in which the fireplace is located;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a fireplace illustrating thefireplace ash removal means of the ,instant invention, certain partsbeing broken away to illustrate the connection between a fan inducing avacuum in the vacuum line and the soil line acting to remove thedischarged materials toward a sewer; and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG- URE 4 takensubstantially along line 5-5 thereof as viewed in the directionindicated by the arrows.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to the drawingsin detail, wherein like reference characters designate like elementsthroughout the several views thereof, there is indicated generally atICC 10 a fireplace extending through a wall shown generally at 12 havingan interior facing 14 in a room provided with a floor 16 supported by aplurality of braces 18 from a foundation (not shown). Fireplace 1)includes the usual hearth formed by inwardly converging walls 20 with anoutlet 22 being provided in communication with a chimney. Positionedadjacent fireplace 10 is a vacuum removal means shown generally at 24having as its major components a flexible removable suction hose 26, arigid inlet pipe shown generally at 2S connecting hose 26 to a fan showngenerally at 30, and a filter box shown generally at 32 receiving theremoved material. An electrical switch 34 is mounted upon interiorfacing 14 for selectively energizing fan 30 in order to draw a movingstream of air through suction hose 26 into filter box 32 exterior of theroom in which fireplace 10 is located. It will be apparent that anindividual may manipulate switch 34 and utilize suction hose 26 toremove the ashes from fireplace 10.

Suction hose 26 is of a conventional configuration and is provided witha suction head 36 which may be releasably mounted in a U-shaped bracket38 affixed to facing 14. The outlet end of suction hose 26 is mounted ina removable L-shaped connector 40 swivably mounted in inlet pipe 28 withsuitable gaskets (not shown) being provided to prevent the escape ofdust laden air into the room in which fireplace 10 is located. It shouldbe apparent that the swivable nature of connector 40 allows freemovement of suction hose 26 obviating the crimping thereof at thejunction of connector 40 and hose 26.

Fan 30 is mounted by suitable connecting means 42, such as nails, studs,bolts or the like to the exterior portion 44 of wall 12. Fan 30 includesa power source illustrated as an electric motor 46, but which may be aWater powered motor, drivably interconnected with a plurality of fanblades 48 mounted within a fan housing 50 to create the suctionproviding the moving stream of air, carrying the fireplace ashes, intofan housing 50. Fan 30 also includes an outlet duct 52 discharging theoutput into filter box 32. As may be seen best in FIGURES 2 and 3, fan30 is enclosed in a suitable housing 54 releasably mounted on filter box32 by a pair of flanges 56 which act to slidably receive housing 54.

Filter box 32 includes a pair of spaced apart angle members 58supporting the lower corners of filter box 32 which are in turn mountedon exterior portion 44 of Wall 12 by a plate 60 secured thereto withdiagonal braces 62 being provided for additional rigidity. Filter box 32preferably includes an impervious top wall 64 through which outlet duct52 extends, an impervious bottom wall 66, a pair of impervious sidewalls 68, an impervious back wall 70 and a pivotally mounted perforatedfront wall 72 carrying a handle 74. Front wall 72 is preferablyconstructed such that finer ash particles and air will pass freelytherethrough, while larger ash products will accumulate in filter box 32such that an individual may periodically empty it into a refusecontainer as needed. Although there will be some exhaust of dust and ashparticles from filter box 32, the accumulation of larger particlestherein will act as a filter to minimize greater discharge of the finerparticles. In lieu of or in addition to filter box 32, a fire-proofwoven mesh bag 75 may be used to filter the particulate material passingthrough outlet duct 52. Bag 75 can be woven or constructed of aluminum,stainless steel or other suitable fire-proof material and is of closeweave preferably having on the order of 2,500 perforations per squareinch.

Electrical switch 34 is interconnected between a pair of electricalwires 76 leading to la suitable power source and a pair of electricalconduits 78 leading from switch 34 to electric motor 46. When anindividual desires to clean fireplace 10, he will remove suction head 36from bracket 38 and manipulate switch 34 to deliver electrical energy tomotor 46 thereby driving fan blades 48 to induce a moving stream of airthrough suction head 36, flexible hose 26, connector 40, inlet pipe 28,outlet duct 52 and filter box 32 to the atmosphere exterior of the roomin which fireplace is located. The individual will draw suction head 36across the lioor of fireplace 10 to remove the ash material fromfireplace 10 into filter box 32. It should be apparent that bracket 38may be arranged, much like a telephone, to operate switch 34.

As the first dust and ash particles exit from outlet duct 52, they willmove toward perforate front wall 72 with a substantial portion thereofexiting under the atmosphere. After a portion of replace 10 has beencleaned, the larger ash particles will accumulate within filter box 32thereby acting as a self-generating filter to avoid the loss of finerparticles through perforate wall 72. It will be seen, therefore, thatthe overall discharge of dust and ash in the atmosphere will beminimized by the Self-generating features of the filter accumulatingwithin filter box 32.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, another form of the vacuum removalmeans of the instant invention is shown generally at 80 in conjunctionwith fireplace 10, concerning which like references have been used forpurposes of clarity. Vacuum removal means 80 includes a flexible suctionhose 82, a rigid inlet pipe shown generally at 84 connecting suctionhose 82 to a fan shown generally at 86 positioned under floor 16. Aswill be explained more fully hereinafter, fan 86 discharges into a soilline 88 with a pressurized water line 90 being arranged to wet the ashand dust particles emitting from fan 86. An electrical control systemshown generally at 92 is provided for simultaneously actuating fan 86and delivering water through water line 90.

Suction hose 82 is of conventional configuration and carries a suctionhead 94 on the inlet end thereof which may be placed, for purposes ofstorage, in a U-shaped bracket or holder 96 affixed to wall 12. Itshould be apparent that hose 82 -may be removed when not in use andstored in a remote location. The outlet end of suction hose 82 isreceived in an L-shaped connector 98 swivably mounted in the inlet ofrigid pipe 84. Pipe 84 extends downwardly through the space betweeninterior facing 14 and partition wall 100 through floor 16 to the inletformed in fan housing 102 of fan 86.

Fan 86 includes a power source, illustrated as an electric motor 104 butwhich may be a water powered motor, operatively connected with aplurality of fan blades 106 mounted within fan housing 102 and arrangedto create a suction inducing a moving stream of air through flexiblehose 82 and rigid inlet pipe 84. Fan housing 102 forms an outlet 108 influid communication with the branch outlet of a T 110 in fluidexchanging relation with soil pipe 88 as seen best in FIGURE 4.Pressurized water line 90 extends through a plug 112 in the inlet of T110 such that the discharge through fan outlet 108 is substantiallyperpendicular to a `discharge from water line 90 and perpendicular tothe resultant flow of material through soil line 88. It has been foundthat the change of direction required of the dust and ash particles inconnection with the water spray emitted from water line 90 results in anefficient wetting of the dust and ash particles. A check valve 124 ishinged at 126 for opening conduit 88 upon the passage of material towardthe sewer. A stop 128 prevents flapper 124 from moving in the oppositedirection to preclude the return of sewer gases along pipe 88.

Electrical system 92 includes a pair of electrical wires 114 leadingfrom a suitable power source to a switch 116 positioned adjacentconnector 98 within the room in which fireplace 10 is located. A secondpair of wires 118 leads from switch 116 to a solenoid operated valve 120positioned in water line 90. A pair of branch wires 122 place electricmotor 104 in parallel with solenoid valve 120 such that the actuation ofswitch 116 opens valve 120 to deliver a stream of water within T 110 andsimultaneously energizes electric motor 104 to commence the flowing ofan ash and dust laden stream of air through vacuum removal means 80.

In the event that a water powered motor is used, the actuated solenoidwill open a valve delivering pressurized water to the motor to rotateblades 106. The water will then be directed through conduit into mixingT 110.

It should be apparent that the diversion of the moving stream of air 90by T 110 creates a great deal of turbulence therein thus providing anefficient wetting environment in which water from water pressurized line90 is sprayed. In addition, it has been found that the introduction ofwater at 90 with respect to the outlet directional liow enhances thewetting of the dust and ash particles thereby further facilitating theirmovement through soil line 88 and the sewer with which it is incommunication.

It is now seen that there is herein provided an improved fireplace ashremover which accomplishes all of the 0bjects and advantages of theinstant invention and others, including many advantages of greatpractical utility and commercial importance.

I claim:

1. A replace ash remover comprising:

a flexible suction hose for gathering the ash and dust particles from afireplace;

an L-shaped connection, on the outlet end of the suction hose;

a stationary pipe, adapted to extend through an interior wall of a roomin which the fireplace is located, the L-shaped connection beingswivably mounted in fluid communication with the stationary pipe;

a suction fan, adapted to be mounted exteriorly of the room, having aninlet in fluid communication with the stationary pipe;

means in communication with the outlet of the suction fan fordischarging at least a part of the ash and dust particles to a locationremote from the fan, said means including a soil line for receiving andtransporting the dirt and ash particles to a sewer;

a three-way connection placing the soil line in communication with thefan outlet;

a pressurized water line in communication with the three-way connectionfor wetting the dust and ash particles discharged by the fan outlet; and

a check valve, in the soil line, for preventing backflow of sewagegases.

2. The fireplace ash remover of claim 1 wherein the three-way connectionforms a pair of aligned openings, the soil line being connected to oneof the openings, the water line being connected to the other opening.

3. The fireplace ash remover of claim 2 wherein the three-way connectionincludes an aperture 'at substantially 90 with respect to the openings,the fan outlet being in communication with the aperture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,322,361 11/1919 Sherman.1,887,768 11/1932 Maloney 126-242 2,013,498 9/ 1935 McConaughy.2,529,965 11/1950 Rentz 126-242 1,970,674 8/1934 Seibert et al. 15-3143,353,996 11/1967 Hamrick 15-301 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 235,971 6/ 1911Germany.

KENNETH W. SPRAGUE, Primary Examiner.

